THIRD OF 4 PARTS
An overwhelming majority of Oahu residents has no intention of using bike lanes, but they sure like the idea of getting someone else to use bicycles to commute — especially along Honolulu’s new King Street "Cycle Track."
The city’s first protected bike lane — running 2 miles on South King Street from Alapai Street to Isenberg Street — officially opened Dec. 5 to much community concern about whether the track would create safety problems between drivers and bicyclists.
But 53 percent of Oahu residents surveyed in the Hawaii Poll taken Jan. 13-23 approved of the new King Street Cycle Track. Another 35 percent disapproved, and 12 percent had no opinion or refused to answer.
"I love the idea," said David Richardson, 27, who works in the hotel industry and lives near the cycle track.
He walks to his job in Waikiki and is frequently "run down" by bicyclists riding on sidewalks.
"If used properly, more bike lanes could lead to a healthier city and encourage more people to ride bikes — and not drive into work," Richardson said.
The results of the Hawaii Poll suggest that people approve of the city’s efforts regarding bicycles because they might prompt someone else to give up their car.
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Approve
53%
Disapprove
35%
Don’t know/ refused
12%
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Some 66 percent of respondents approved of what the city is doing when it comes to encouraging bicycle commuting and adding more bike lanes.
The numbers jumped even higher among younger folks: Some 77 percent of people under age 35 approved of the city’s efforts when it comes to bicycles, compared with 57 percent of respondents 55 and older.
But a whopping 78 percent have no intention of actually using a bike lane.
Even 74 percent of respondents under age 35 said they’re not planning to use a bike lane, compared with 87 percent of those 55 and older.
Broken down by ethnicity, 86 percent of Japanese respondents said they won’t ride in a bike lane compared with 67 percent of Filipinos.
Of those who said they do expect to use a bike lane, more (35 percent) have lived on Oahu for 10 of fewer years — compared with just 18 percent of residents who were born and raised on Oahu.
Vivian Kimseu, 38, of Palolo Valley Homes worries about bicycle riders all across Oahu.
"It’s kind of dangerous for the cars because the drivers have to watch for traffic and pedestrians, as well as people on their bike," Kimseu said.
Kimseu frequently drives on King Street and gets nervous about the new cycle track.
"It’s hard to change lanes, and traffic is worse since it opened," she said. "There’s going to be an accident."
But, as with a majority of respondents, Richardson maintains the city is moving in the right direction when it comes to bike lanes and encouraging more bicycle ridership.
"I definitely see a benefit to that," Richardson said. "If they were more common, more bike lanes would definitely make me more comfortable to use a bike."
The Hawaii Poll has a marin of error of 4.9 percentage points.
